Smile Foundation is a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to providing comprehensive care for children with facial anomalies and burn injuries, and recognises the challenges that come with them. 

The foundation says that it strives to make a tangible difference, as the lack of understanding, support and specialised medical care often takes a toll on both the mother and child's psychological well-being.

For mothers in rural communities, navigating the challenges of raising a child with congenital abnormalities can be an isolating and emotionally draining experience.

According to the foundation, this Smile Week will take place at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria from Monday, 12 August to Friday, 16 August. The week is sponsored by Milky Lane, which — prior to this Smile Week — has also run two fundraising campaigns to support children in need of surgery.

Among the 12 children scheduled for corrective surgery is nine-month-old Oritika, who was born with Goldenhar Syndrome, says the foundation.

Goldenhar Syndrome is a craniofacial condition affecting the development of the face and skull. It typically results in abnormalities in facial structures, but the severity and combination of symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

According to the foundation, Goldenhar Syndrome is considered rare, with an estimated occurrence of about 1 in 3 000 to 1 in 5 000 live births. Oritika's condition presents as:

  • clubfoot
  • an underdeveloped ear
  • a bilateral cleft lip
  • a cleft palate
  • a hole in her heart, and
  • a leg condition.

The foundation says that in Smile Week, Oritika will receive a cleft lip repair. This allows for:

  • easier feeding
  • improved speech development
  • improved sense of emotional well-being, and
  • a more positive self-esteem.

Oritika's mother Pembelani, who walks this journey as a single mom with very little support, says, "From the day Oritika was born, the big opening in her lip has made feeding very difficult. This has been a worry for me, as she needs all the nourishment she can get to build her strength."

"The people living in our area have not been supportive of our situation. They don't understand Oritika's health problems. They have put a lot of pressure on me and have been very difficult to deal with. This has stressed my child and myself out terribly, but I am not giving up," adds Pembelani.

"I must stay strong and positive for my little girl and I know that with the help of Smile Foundation, Oritika's surgery and the kind doctors who will be helping her after her operation, Oritika will have a happy and healthy future," Pembelani says. 

"Bringing smiles to children's faces has taken on a whole new meaning to us through this Smile Week initiative. We are honoured to be playing a part in helping those children who so desperately need medical intervention and care," says Patricia Kasuka, marketing manager of Milky Lane.

"We are inspired by the selfless people involved in this initiative and of the incredible work that Smile Foundation is doing to make a real difference in children's lives," adds Kasuka.

"Every child deserves to feel secure, loved and capable of anything; this is the very foundation upon which dreams are realised. We, at Smile Foundation, are deeply moved by the financial support of Milky Lane; their generosity is helping to make these life-changing transformations during this Smile Week possible," says Tarri Parfitt, CEO of Smile Foundation. 

"Milky Lane has also been a long-standing supporter of Smile Foundation. They have literally come to the party through their participation in every Smile Week since after the Covid pandemic. Thank you for all the delicious ice-creams, teddy bears and blankets that your team has provided the children and nurses with and the many smiles that you have created along the way," adds Parfitt.

"And to the extraordinary team of surgeons, medical professionals and hospital staff at Steve Biko Academic Hospital: Your steadfast commitment is truly awe-inspiring. You are giving these children and their parents the precious gift of a new beginning, a chance to face life with a renewed sense of hope and a smile that shines brighter than ever," concludes Parfitt. 

For more information, visit www.smilefoundationsa.org. You can also follow Smile Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor